There
is a great deal of acclaim reserved for the Heisman Trophy as the top
player in American College Football. Also it has been proven on a number
of occasions that winning the Heisman does not automatically ensure
success in the professional ranks. Regardless of success or failure the
sporting world will always take a keen interest in the paths former
winners take as professionals. The Canadian Football League has had a
significant role in the career of a number of winners and an even greater
number of runner-ups.

Troy Smith led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a Fiesta Bowl win in 2006 under
the leadership of Jim Tressel. Smith was named the 2006 Heisman winner
and was a 5th round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2007. Smith
saw limited action with Baltimore and was consequently moved to the San
Francisco 49ers where he saw action in 6 games in 2010. The strong armed
Smith had some success with San Francisco but was not re-signed for
2011. After spending time in the UFL with Omaha and a try-out with
Pittsburgh in 2012 Smith returned to work at his alma matter Ohio State.
Jim Popp the GM of the Montreal Alouettes had Smith on his negotiations
list for 10 years when a deal was struck to bring Smith north in 2013.
Smith joined the Montreal Alouettes in July and quickly was incorporated
into the offence becoming the clubs started in late October. Smith
displayed his strong athletic skills leading the Alouettes to 2
victories down the stretch and a playoff appearance. He returned as the
acclaimed starter in 2014 but struggled mightily out of the gate.
Montreal overhauled their offence brantrust bringing in Don Matthews and
Jeff Garcia. Smith fell out of favour with the regime and was replaced
by Jonathan Crompton as starter. He was released from the club late in
the season.

2001 - Eric Crouch - Nebraska - Toronto
Argonauts

Eric
was an All-American at Nebraska running the wish-bone offence. Crouch
played under offensive co-ordinator Turner Gill at Nebraska who had spent
2 season with the Montreal Concordes. Crouch won the 2001 Heisman but pro
coaches questioned his arm strength and size to make it as a pro
quarterback. Crouch was drafted by the St.Louis Rams but went to camp as a
wide receiver. He failed to make a lasting impression as a receiver and
left the club. Crouch joined Green Bay in 2003 hoping to try-out as a
quarterback, he failed to make the team and retired due to nagging
injuries. He returned to pro football in 2005 with Kansas City as a safety
and was allocated to NFL Europe he played for the Hamburg Sea Devils as a
safety. In 2006 he signed with the Toronto Argonauts with the opportunity
to play quarterback. He saw limited action in 1 game in 2006. Crouch was
released by Toronto prior to the 2008 season.

1998 - Ricky Williams - Texas - Toronto
Argonauts

Ricky
was an outstanding collegiate athlete. Over 4 seasons with Texas he rushed
for 6,279 yards. In his senior season he rushed for a then record 2,099
yards and 24 touchdowns. He was the consensus Heisman winner over Michael
Bishop of Kansas who spent time with the Toronto Argonauts. Ricky spent 3
seasons with the New Orleans Saints before moving to the Miami Dolphins
where he led the league in rushing in 2001. Following numerous drug
offences Ricky did not report for the 2004 season. He did return in 2005
and following a suspension for the 2006-07 season he signed a contract
with the Toronto Argonauts. Ricky spent 1 un-spectacular season in Double
Blue, injuries limited his effectiveness but he showed flashes of his
immense talent. In 2008 Williams was back with the Miami Dolphins
splitting carries with Ronnie Brown.

In
his junior season at Houston, Ware set major college records by throwing
for 4,699 yards and 46 TDs, leading the Cougars to a 9-2 record. He
declared for the NFL draft, forgoing his senior year, confident that he
had impressed NFL scouts. After one pre-draft workout, a scout declared,
"Gentlemen, we are looking at the next great quarterback in the National
Football League." 'Twasn't to be. The Lions picked Ware in the first round
of the 1990 draft, and gave him a $1 million signing bonus. But Ware
rarely got off the bench in his four NFL seasons with Detroit and
Minnesota. Ware's career totals: 83 completions in 161 attempts for 1,112
yards and five touchdowns. When Ware signed with the CFL's Ottawa Rough
Riders in 1995, his former coach at Houston, Jack Pardee, said, "Andre is
going to be great in this league." Wrong. Ware's short, three-team CFL
career ended in 1997, when he had the honor of watching from the bench as
Doug Flutie led the Toronto Argonauts to a Grey Cup victory. courtesy ESPN - Biggest Heisman Flops

Doug
Flutie won the 1984 Heisman with Boston College. He graduated as the
career passing leader in NCAA history (since eclipsed). His outstanding
collegiate career was punctuated by what many consider the greatest moment
in college sports, his Hail Mary winning touchdown pass over Miami at the
Orange Bowl the day after Thanksgiving. Flutie was a celebrity, he joined
the fledgling USFL and was looked to as the leagues saviour signing with
Donald Trump's New Jersey Generals. Upon the collapse of the USFL, Flutie
spent time as a replacement player with the Chicago Bears and then with
the New England Patriots. In 1990 at the age of 28 he contemplated
retirement having run out of NFL options. His next decision turned around
his career and changed Canadian Football forever. Flutie joined the
B.C.Lions in 1990 and over 8 seasons with B.C., Calgary and Toronto he
captured 6 Most Outstanding Player awards and 3 Grey Cups. He returned to
the NFL in 1998 But had his greatest success and most fun dominating the
CFL in the 1990's.

The
biggest thing for Rodgers coming out of Nebraska in 1973 as a Heisman
winner was to make a 6 figure salary. Johnny had electrified the nation
with his receiving and kick returning exploits with the Cornhuskers. San
Diego drafted the flashy
Rodgers in the first round and looked at Johnny as a cornerstone of their
future. Salary negotiations with Rodgers did not get off on the right
foot. When it became readily apparent that Johnny would not be getting a
six figure salary from the NFL, an offer from the CFL Alouettes for that
elusive amount and recognition in a cultural and happening city like
Montreal was all Johnny needed, he stunned the football world and signed
to play in the CFL. After 4 seasons Rodgers had won a Grey Cup and been
named a league all-star on numerous occasion. Johnny signed with the San
Diego Chargers but injuries ended his hopes of matching his brilliance in
the CFL with the Chargers.

1962 - Terry Baker - Oregon State - Edmonton
Eskimos

Baker deserved to win the Heisman in 1962,
when he was also named SI's "Sportsman of the Year." At QB,
Baker led the Beavers to a 9-2 record his senior year, finishing his
college career with 3,476 yards and 23 TD passes. The Rams drafted Baker
in the first round, but in his first NFL season, he played little at his
old position, completing 11 of 19 passes for 140 yards. Then the Rams
tried to turn him into a running back, an experiment that failed, as he
rushed 49 times for only 164 yards in 1964 and 1965 combined. By 1966,
Baker was out of the NFL. courtesy ESPN - Biggest Heisman
Flops. He played 2 season with the Edmonton Eskimos
with moderate success.

1952 - Billy Vessels - Oklahoma - Edmonton
Eskimos

Billy
Vessels, the 1952 Heisman Trophy winner who helped Oklahoma win its first
national title. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Vessels was
the first in a long line of star running backs at Oklahoma that would
later include Billy Sims and Steve Owens, the school's other Heisman
winners. Vessels led Oklahoma in both rushing and receiving in 1950 as the
Sooners finished first in both major polls. Two years later, Vessels
finished second nationally with 1,072 yards and 108 points and won the
Heisman Trophy.
He went on to play for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football
League coached by former Sooner, Darrell Royal. Vessels won the Shenley
Award in 1953 for outstanding player in the CFL.

Brad Banks
led the Iowa Hawkeyes to an 11-1 record in 2002, while throwing 26
touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. Went un-drafted in the 2003 NFL draft
but signed attended Washington Redskins training camp as a free agent. He
was released midway through training camp and sat out the 2003-04 season.
Banks signed with Ottawa prior to the 2004 season. He spent the first part
of the season as a third stringer behind starter Kerry Joseph and Darnell
Kennedy. Injuries to Joseph and Kennedy meant Banks mad his professional
debut in week#7 versus Calgary. He played increasingly down the stretch
including his first start versus Montreal in Olympic Stadium on October 3,
2004. Banks finished the year with 807 yards passing and 7 touchdowns. He
threw only 2 interceptions. He returned to Ottawa for the 2005 season as
the back-up to Kerry Joseph and played sparingly. Following the suspension
of the Ottawa franchise Banks joined Winnipeg through the dispersal draft.

Michael Bishop
was dominant in two season with Kansas State, leading the team to 22 wins
over 2 season against just 2 losses. He finished as runner-up in the
Heisman to Texas running back Ricky Williams. Bishop was drafted in the
7th round by the New England Patriots in the 1999 draft, he spent two
seasons with New England and saw limited action. After bumping around
between Green Bay and Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe Bishop signed with
the Toronto Argonauts in time for the 2002 season. Bishop struggled in his
first season with Toronto, throwing 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Bishop filled in for the injured Damon Allen in 2004 and saw some playing
action in the 97th Grey Cup victory for the Argonauts in Ottawa. Bishop
has moved onto the Arena Football League with the Chicago Rush. Bishop was
dealt from Toronto to Saskatchewan in 2008 and saw action in 2009 with
Winnipeg.

As
a junior with Iowa in '96 Troy Davis led the nation in
rushing with 402 carries for 2,185 yards and 21 touchdowns in 11 games
during the season. Davis became the first rusher in NCAA history to break
the 2,000 yards rushing barrier in two seasons. Davis finished runner-up
to Florida QB Danny Wuerffel in Heisman voting. He was drafted in the
third round of the NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. Davis spent three
season with the Saints primarily on special teams, he was released
following the 2001 season. Troy joined Hamilton in 2002 and rushed for
1,143 yards in his first season. Davis again broke the 1,000 yard barrier
in 2003 with 1,206 yards and led the CFL in rushing in 2004 with 1,621
yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. Troy was traded to Edmonton in August
2005 and went on to win the Grey Cup with the Eskimos.

1995 - Tommie
Frazier - Nebraska - Montreal Alouettes

Tommie
Frazier is a true legend in the illustrious history of Cornhusker Football.
Frazier started all four seasons with Nebraska from 1992-95 leading the
club to 3 straight National Championship Games - winning two. He was a
dual threat throwing and running ball for the dominant Nebraska program.
Frazier finished second in 1995 Heisman voting to Eddie George of Ohio
State. Frazier running style did not fit with what NFL teams were looking
for in a quarterback and he went un-drafted in the 1996 NFL draft. Tommie
signed with the Montreal Alouettes in 1996 as a free agent. It was hoped
he could learn under Tracy Ham who had a similar style to Frazier but
blood clot issues that had affected Frazier in college arose again and
after limited action the Nebraska grad retired from Professional football.
He finished his CFL career completing 6 of 17 attempts for 55 yards with
an interception. He has since returned to Nebraska as a running backs
coach.

Considered
by many to be one of the most entertaining players ever in college
football. Ismail had world class speed and provided breathtaking moments
for Notre Dame as a kick returner and receiver. Raghib dubbed "The Rocket"
finished runner-up to BYU quarterback Ty Detmer for the Heisman but was
widely considered to be the #1 draft pick of the NFL - the new ownership
of the Toronto Argonauts had other ideas. Bruce McNall owner of the Los
Angeles Kings along with star center Wayne Gretzky and comedian John Candy
had just recently purchased the Argonauts from Harry Ornest. McNall was
looking to make a splash and the electrifying Rocket was just the ticket.
McNall signed Ismail to a huge contract and made headlines across North
America. The league and Argonauts were definately on the map. 1991 was a
dream season Ismail and the Argonauts won the Grey Cup. While his CFL
career only lasted 1 more season, Ismail definitely made an impression in
pro football. Ismail
went on to play in the NFL with the Los Angeles Raiders, Carolina Panthers
and Dallas Cowboys.

Syracuse
University was a veritible CFL quarterback factory in the late 1980's.
Before the likes of Marvin Graves (Toronto), Kevin Mason (Saskatchewan) and Kevin McDougall
(Winnipeg) not to
mention Donovan McNabb as Orangeman pivots was Don McPherson. McPherson
was an incredible athlete he was a versatile quarterback with a strong arm
and good instincts. Although he would finish runner-up to Notre Dames Tim
Brown for the Heisman the future looked bright for Don. He was drafted by
the Philadelphia Eagles and gained experience under Randall Cunningham but
never did receive a fair shot to lead a team. Ultimately Don went to the CFL and joined the Hamilton Tiger Cats, he enjoyed some success but had a
terrible year in 1993 not lasting the season for the club as the starting
QB. After 1 more season with Ottawa he was out of the league, a
dissapointing end to a promising career.

1986 - Paul Palmer
- Temple - Toronto Argonauts

Paul had a brief stint
with Toronto during the 1991 season. His statistical totals reflect just
how brief his stay was: 5 yards on 2 carries.

Before
internet and the plethora of sports publications available today the
measure of an athletes importance in sports was making the cover of Sport
Illustrated the authority of pro sports in the 1970's. For USC running
back Anthony Davis he made the cover 3 times as a collegiate stand-out,
Davis finished runner-up to Ohio State tailback Archie Griffin for the
1974 Heisman. Davis was flamboyant, arrogant and extremely talented. Davis
spent 1 season in the ill-fated World Football League with the Southern
California Sun setting a league record with 16 touchdowns in 12 games.
When the WFL folded Davis was left with several options, the NFL's New
York Jets pursued Davis but money talks and the $1 million 5 year contract
from the Toronto Argonauts was enough to bring Davis to Canada. The
offence was not tailored for Davis and nagging injuries did not help what
led to an abysmal season for Davis. He proceeded to buy his way out of the
remainder of his contract and leave the CFL.

Joe
Theismann won a Super Bowl with the Washingston Redskins and gone on to
become a distinguished broadcaster. back in 1970 he was a star quaterback
with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, he finished runner-up in Heisman
voting to Stanford quarterback Jim Plunkett. Joe was deemed a little small
for the NFL but was drafted by Miami in 1971 in the fourth round. Contract
negotiations with the Dolphins were trying on Theismann and when an offer
arrived from the Argonauts to be the starting quarterback Joe signed in
Toronto. He would lead the team to the Grey Cup in 1971 but the Argos were
defeated. He would play in Toronto for two more seasons before going to
the NFL signing with the Washington Redskins. As a Heisman runner-up Theismann brought talent and notoriety to the CFL in the heady days of the
early 1970's.

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